Daniel A

I don't use a smartphone. I do save copies of documents on my laptop and take that with me when I cruise. DW also maintains a paper file of all of our documents (including the all-important trip insurance policy) and take that with us. It drives me nuts when I am behind somebody in a line, and they can't locate a bar code or QR code on their phone when going through a check in line at an airport/cruiseport or other venue or trying to use their phone to pay at a store checkout. Usually, they're scanning through cute pictures of their cats or grandkids while I am behind them with hard copies ready to go.

Yes, thank you. With the help from @cheetosrevil I was able to eventually find that option, but we shouldn't need to search for and find a workaround for a feature which was there earlier. I'm pretty confident that I won't be the only person who won't know this workaround. I save up my gift cards and e-mail the PDFs to my TA when final payment is due. I don't use them as I get them as I need to immediately notify my trip insurer whenever I make any payments on a cruise. I then get a new invoice from the insurer for insuring the additional funds paid for that sailing.

Thanks for your help on this. I was able to see the above when I hit the "Print Card" button, but I wasn't aware that "Save To PDF" was an option in the print dialogue box. I now have the cards saved as PDFs. Thank you! Since I wasn't aware of that option, there must have been another easier option when opening the gift cards from the e-mail. but with your help, I have them. now.

Thanks for the help on this. I have the full Adobe Acrobat installed on my computer and there is no option of "Print to PDF" when I click on the "Print Card" button. Again , I'm not sure why they decided to complicate something that worked fine before...

I've been doing that. The "Save" option is no longer there, only "Print."

Where did you find the option to save as a PDF? I don't see it on mine. I bought mine on 10/3. All I see is a "Card Toolbox" with the options of "Print Card"; "Edit Message"; "Send As Gift" and "Add To Google Wallet." There's no option to "Save"

I just bought five $500 cards. When viewing the cards from the AARP Rewards e-mail, I can only view the cards as a web page. I used to be able to save them to my computer as PDFs, but that isn't an option now. I guess I will need to print the web pages then scan the hard copies into my computer as PDFs. I don't know why they're making this more difficult than it needs to be. (Maybe the people who designed the original Medallion Class App are now working on the gift cards software 'fixing' that too...🙄)

I was surprised that there were Haven crew members who knew me by name even before I ever met them. I think they must post a board in the crew work area with our photos and names. (Probably only first names as they would be easier to remember.)

I asked the pre-cruise concierge to arrange for the mini-bar to be removed from the cabin refrigerator. I placed a nice advance tip for the Haven bar staff at the beginning of the cruise. Knowing that my cans of beer were not included in my drink package if delivered by room service, I would stop at the Haven bar and get one or two unopened cans of beer and bring them back to the cabin and I put them in the 'fridge. My drink package covered my in-cabin drinks and I never had to wait for someone to deliver a nice cold beer when I wanted one. TAKE NOTE: If you drink any beverages which were pre-placed in your refrigerator, that is considered your in-suite mini bar and each drink you consume from that incurs a charge as well. If you don't want the mini bar, make sure you ask the concierge/butler to remove the mini bar ASAP.

My 2 cents "Five Oh"... You budgeted in anticipation that your expectations would be met. Apparently, the work you put into your butler letter was for naught. I also believe naught is what you need to give any further as your requests and expectations were not met. ($500 bucks is still a generous gratuity.) - "Dan O"

I think the bottom line of this part of the conversation is that if the kids aren't complying with the rules, then it is the parents who are responsible and assume the blame for their offspring's conduct. If the staff won't hold the parents accountable, then Mommy & Daddy deserve stink-eye and cold shoulder from their fellow cruisers.

Why do you think they're sailing in the Haven with Mommy & Daddy in the first place? When the cat's away...🍻 🥤 🤪

I understand that your 'tweens' may be well behaved and respectful, but if there are tweens monopolizing the hot tubs (which is what I have experienced) I cannot make use of those hot tubs. There is no way I'm going to climb into a hot tub with a tween or couple of tweens. As a fully grown adult male, I would be the person getting the "side-eye" no matter the gender of the tweens. I am also supposing that you wouldn't be too pleased with an adult male spending time in the hot tub with your children. I can appreciate that your children should be able to make use of many of the Haven facilities, but there should be an understood time and place so others can change for the hot tub and know that they will be able to use the hot tub when they get there. It is never a good situation for an adult to be in a hot tub with a couple of tweens or young teens while enjoying some adult beverages as part of the hot tub enjoyment. All of the above being said, I just wanted to make the point that it isn't just rowdy children which are a big concern, it is the effect of the mere presence of children in certain situations which can be a challenge for some adults. If the parents could be sensitive to the concerns of the other passengers and keep an eye out for possible conflicts, then there shouldn't be any problem. I may be an outlier with these concerns, but they are very real to me and may be a good reason to avoid sailing on ships which have amusement parks on the upper decks - even if they also provide a fantastic experience like the Haven.

I am just off Breakaway, and I was pleased to see one of the two hot tubs was posted "Adults Only." Several years ago, we couldn't get into a Haven hot tub with kids monopolizing them on the Epic. Why can't they have a dedicated adult hot tub or adult only hot tub periods?

Understood. I just boarded in Civitavecchia and that was the case, but just past security there were signs and a rep directing Haven guests away from the long check-in line and to the VIP lounge. My point is that if there is a sign for the Haven you would normally proceed directly to that point. That is probably why in the photo there is a NCL rep to direct the Haven guests to the Haven Check-in.

I hope you weren't under the impression that I was criticizing your concern. That question was rhetorical and meant to make you more comfortable with skipping the long line by pointing out that will not be your line. When you arrive at the pier, look for either the Haven signage or a NCL representative to find where to enter the terminal. The whole purpose for the separate Haven entrance is to eliminate the need for you to wait in the long line at embarkation. You should be taken to a VIP Haven lounge where a concierge will check you in while you enjoy coffee, juices and snacks. Enjoy your cruise in the Haven!

Why would you wait in the wrong line first? If there is a separate Haven check-in, I would go straight to that check in point. This is what you are paying extra for. Enjoy being pampered! (It stops at disembarkation, so enjoy it while you can.) ☺️

DW only wants to use cruise line excursions. The promise to wait is worth the extra money for us as she doesn't worry about traffic delays. On private excursions, she worries so much that she doesn't enjoy the excursion. That being said, I liked the priority disembarkation for the ship's excursions. If you left your excursion tickets for the following day with the Concierge, the Concierge would collect our stickers, meet us in the Haven lounge and escort us to the bus giving us first shot at seat selection on the tour bus. That made a big difference as well as the shows.

I am just off the Breakaway, and there wasn't a reserved seating section in the theater. The concierge would escort us to a theater back door, and we selected our seats before they opened the main doors to the theater.

Well, we got home last night at about 10PM local time. I think we were up for 24 hours. DW & I are now experiencing symptoms similar to "Cruise Crud," but we just made appointments to be tested today for something else...🤒

No, I do not have a tracker. It is a backup laptop I use for travel. I always clean all of my personal data & documents and photos before leaving on a trip, but I will still feel more comfortable if I can get it back.

I think I left my laptop on a shelf in the cabin. It may have been on a shelf the steward was using to store the extra decorative pillows and cloth runner. I never thought to look on that shelf as the runner and pillows were still there when we packed. Does anyone know how to find out if it was left there?

We have sailed on the Epic in Haven before. I liked the physical layout but I think Breakaway Haven being smaller, it probably contributed to the family feel.

Well, we are now off Breakaway and the Haven. It was interesting that this time, It felt more like being with family (both crew and fellow passengers in the Haven.) It's now back to being a normal person again... I second @amygutman last post above

I asked the pre-cruise concierge to have the butler remove the mini bar from our refrigerator at embarkation. It made more room for other things like milk for morning coffee instead of Coffee Mate, water and beer.